Sign control and system



June 10, 1947, E. H. uNKLr-:s ET AL.

SIGN CONTROL AND SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed NOV. 16, 1943 NEW/MLINVENTORS @w 5 H v1, Erf mwm 0 H \o\ WWW HSM K MEM@ D n E w June 10,1947. E. H. UNKLEs ET Al.

SIGN CONTROL AND SYSTEM Filed Nov. 1e, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS vS S vlJ @MMM WBM D F. M

June 10, 1947.

E. H. UNKLEs ET AL SIGN CONTROL AND SYSTEM Filed Nov. 16. 1945 4sheets-sheetl 5 l OOOOOGOOOWWGDGHIWO w @UEO 00 l @@Oll 75GOOGOOOOOOGDGOGOGgOGIO $00 0 OGDOGDOOOO (90006000610000001300 O00 @OG 0ODOwOOOO 00000000600 @90001190 @$0060 0 @0000@)00 00000000009900005009OGDOO 0009906000 OGGOOOOGGOBOGOOOGEOOGgOWOO OGWOOOGQO OOOOOQGOGmOGGGOOGG001MB@ ml GDWOOIMHDQ@ --II 'MIMWMQV 1,97' l' ORNE YS June 10, 1947. E.H. UNKLl-:s ETYAL 2,422,149

SIGN CONTROL AND SYSTEM Fled'Nov. 1e, 1945 sheets-sheet 4 EMU. MQW QWMQYarm/mns Patented June 10, 1947 SIGN CONTROL AND SYSTEM Edward H. Unkles,Weehawken, N. J., and Bert W. Roth, Riverdale, and Charles S. Whitney,Jr., Brooklyn, N. Y., assignors to Trans-Lux Ad-News Corporation, NewYork, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 16, 1943,Serial N o. 510,470

16 claims. l

This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved signcontrol and system; :the present .application Ibeing a continuation inpart of our application for Sign control and system which is nowidentified under United States Patent 2,343,594, dated March '7, 1944.

It is an object of the invention to provide a structure and system ofthis type, and by means of which a sign may be actuated or energized todisplay .a successive series of indicia includi-ng, for example,letters, symbols and numerals and which indicia will be presented in anon-confusf ing or interfering relationship. Accordingly, the

observer will see, for example, a series of indicia elements whichpresent the illusion of traveling or shifting along the sign to presenta coherent and readily readable message.

Preferably, according to the teachings of the present invention, thesign will embrace a field composed of a series of energizalble elementscapable of being operated according to any desired and predeterminedpermutation to furnish clearly legible indicia; the present controlsystem and apparatus serving to assure an operation of the controllerassociated with the panel in a manner such that the indicia Will appearto be traveling acros-s the face of the sign.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a layout of apparatussuch that an operator may readily control the entire assembly; itIbeing, for example, feasible for the operator to govern the functionsof the controller in a manner such that current information, data ormessages prepared by the operator may lbe displayed upon land traversethe sign panel or equivalent structure.

Another object is that of furnishing a control system and by means ofwhich-without any undue complication-a sign panel of virtually anydesired or required length may be caused to operate withv the sameefficiency as a panel of materially shorter length.

Other objects of the invention will become hereinafter apparent.Reference is had to the attached sheets of drawings illustrating onepractical emlbodiment of the invention, and. in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a layout of apparatus such as may beembodied in a control system and sign;

Fig. 2 is a face view of one form of controller which may be embodied inthis system;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary and somewhat enlarged sectional View of aportion of the controller;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along 4the lines 4-4 and inthe direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 3; Y

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View taken along the lines 5-5 @and inthe direction of the arrows as indicated i-n Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 isa somewhat diagrammatic view showing the association of a pairof controllers with each other and with a sign common to the same;

Fig. 7 is again a somewhat schematic view showing a portion of thecontroller apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a face view of the synchronizer or governing mechanism whichacts as a distributor wd which is coupled to the controller; and

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a Wiring diagram showing .the circuitwhich may be incorporated in the layout of the apparatus.

Attention is primarily directed to Fig. 1, in which there has beendiagrammatically shown a grouping of mechanism in accordance with theteachings of the present invention. In this View, the reference numeralI0 indicates a periorator for a tape, II a transmitter which cooperateswith the perforated tape I2, and I3 a. selector mechanism. Thismechanism controls the operation of the setting head indicated Iby thereference numeral I 4, which in turn causes current to flow throughselected paths or portions of the actuator I5. The latter is connectedto the energizable elements I6 of a sign panel I1.

As will readily be understood Iby those skilled in the art, variousforms of perfonating, transmitting and selecting mechanisms haveheretofore Ibeen devised and are currently on the market. Except insofaras they form a part of the present inventive combination, they lare notto be considered as novel per se in the present application. Thus, theperforator ordinarily takes the form of a keyboard mechanism throughwhich a tape is passed to loe perforated. This tape, as indicated by thereference numeral I2, conveniently presents aggregations of openings orperforations formed in accordance with the operation of the perforatorI0. Also, the tape is conveniently formed with a series of feedperforations or any other desired or necessary structure, such that itmay be fed by the mechanism of the transmitter.

The latter ordinarily has a series of pins or equivalent .elements which|are projected and retracted in accordance with the perforations orequivalent indiciaformed in the tape I2. Such operation of pins isaccomplished Iby a feeding mechanism associated with the transmitter andcooperating with feed perforations of the tlape to cause a traversal ofthe same with respect to the transmitter pins or their` equivalents.This operation of the parts results in a series of l opened. l

respect to the base 22. Leads 41 extend from the.

arms 34 and are connected to terminal members 48;supported bythe plate45. These terminal; members cooperate with contacts 49 which, as showninFig., 3, may each include plungers 56, spring pressedxas at I to assurean electrical contacty between the individual terminals and contactsf..Leads52 are coupled to contacts 49 and extendgthrough tothe individualelements I6.of

thesign panel.

If these energizable elements are arranged to. provide a bank seven rowshigh, then conveniently five rows extending lengthwise of the field ofthe sign may be allotted to leach individual indicia element to bedisplayed. This would provide agroup'of Vthirty-five energizableelements for each indiciarelement. If such an expedient is resorted to,then thirty-five switch'elements. shouldfbe provided for each roworseries supported bythe individualbars I8. According t0A the number ofthe latter, terminals 48 are provided, and each of the switch elementsis coupled to one of these terminals.

1 Also, according to the.v number of energizable elements I6in the signpanel, a number of contactmembers 49 are provided; one being connectedto.` each by means of the leads 52. While the aggregate of the terminalbodies may provide an uninterrupted and continuous seriesl of membersextending around the entire surface of Wall or plate 45, the series ofterminals 49 on the plate- 46 maybe interrupted yas indicated in Fig.'1.

As shown in this gure, the contacts series orV group is preferablyuninterrupted throughout almoststhe; entire circumference of plate 46.This has been indicated by the reference numeral 53. The:A contactfgroup is, however, interrupted throughout, for example, .two indiciaAgroups as has been indicated by the reference numerals 54V and 55.. Ofcourse, such interruption does not necessarily have to be of a physicalnature. Rather, contacts may continue throughout these faces but suchcontacts are not connected to energizable elements in the sign.

While on the subject of contacts and terminals, attention is againinvited to Fig. 3. In this figure, it will finally be observed that themounting members I9 may conveniently be insulated from the supports orbars I8 as indicated at 56. As previously brought out, the arms 33 areelectrically connected to or grounded against the supports I8. In orderto continue this ground connection, `each of the bars or supports I 8may be electrically connected as at 51 to a ring58 mountedl upontheexterior face of plate 45. This ringmay be common vto all of thesupports I8. Any desired number of terminal members 59 may engage thisring and be provided with suitably grounded leads 60. l

A suitable source of current supply (not shown) is 'convenientlyinterposed between the second leads of the energizable elements I6 andthe ground In any event, it will be appreciated that with theconstruction shown and described, thecurrent flow will be through anenergizable element, the lead 52 connected thereto, the cor.- respondingcontact 49 and terminal 48, and the lead 4 1 connected to the latter.,Thus, the curries.

rent will flow through thearm. 34 "connectedto the lead 41, the block 36and the arm 33 to they support I8. The circuit will be completed by the.

current flowing through connection r51, the ring 58 `or its equivalentand the terminal. 49 and so to the ground through lead 60. In line withzones or spaces 54 and 55, however, no current will flow regardless ofwhether the individual switch elements are closed or not. Thesepositions or stations are in line with the switch-opening stationprovidedby the bal` as well as the switch-setting station provided bysetting head.

Asshown in Fig. 8, the shaft 21 mounts anarm ,I

6I. This arm supports brushes 62 and-63. The

latter may-conveniently traverse a continuous or The brush 62 or`ring-shaped contact strip 64. its 'equivalent also moves over a circularpath but in so moving successively engages'strips 65 to1I inclusivearranged inthe form of an arcuate senected to the selector mechanism I3or its equivalentby leads which have not been shown. It is obvious,however, that as shaft 21 rotates, the;

brushes. 62 and 63 will closeV the circuit through ring 64 and theparallel segments to transmit electricalimpulses.

These impulses serve not alone to control th energization of theelements 29 and 39, but also the movement and feeding of the tape I2. Aswill be understood, the switch elements must be actuated by the settinghead according to a prede-V I termined pattern. Immediately afterselected switches havebeen closed by the setting head, the

latter must be reset so as to operate the next series of switch elementswhich will traverse the setting head station as the next succeeding baror support I8 moves past the same. It is preferred to employ a selectormechanism which comprises a series of relays and by means of which thedesired impulses are transmitted to the setting head.

As afore brought out, the selector operates in re-- sponse to impulsesemanating from the transmit- This in turn functions as a consequencewith it. Obviously, therefore, the operation' of the record andtransmitter must be timed in a manner such that as the differentV seriesof switches move past the setting head, the latter in each instance willbe operative to set up a different character, numeral or symbol on thesign.

In the embodiment illustrated twenty-two series of switches are present.As will be apparent the synchronizing or controlling mechanism shouldloperatethrough one complete cycle for each switch series. cated in Fig.8 and illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5 assures that for each revolution ofshaft 20, shaft 21 will rotate twenty-two times. As viewed in Fig, 5,the rotation of shaft 20 will be in a counterclockwise direction and, inthis gure, aswell as in Fig. 8, the rotation of shaft 21 is in aclockwise direction. There being, in the illustrated embodiment,twenty-two series of switch elements associated with and directlyoperated as a consequence of rotation of the shaft 20, it follows thatshaft 21`will complete one revolution as each of= the diierent series ofswitch elements traverses thev plungers 32 Iof .the

The contact ring 64 and series of arcuateparallel segments to 1I areelectrically con-1 Accordingly, the drive indi-` encaisse? sispreferably furnished; tonrovde @conti-nua tion of thetc'ontact "nath:-Theretorewhile brush-.6his@traversingthis-segment;nochange the.;hincti'oningi;` off the'` mechanismoccurs#r Rather; sufficient timefispemnittetlltdelapse duim ing*V this. in'teifizalv of .traversait so,lthat; the:V record: 01:' tape may.'y heV shifted'.v forumlid; one.step'. arc;- corian'ce. with@ thefi'mpuise creatediby closing@ the.'circuitthr'ougl segment 6.1 .5 In: other". Words;. this.

` ste;'n.mighthe.termed,l aneutral'i or' inoperative cnetv mainedf open;incident to the" brush4 travers-ing.r

segment. The brushi thereuponv traverses seg-ment lil; .which-L servesto. interruptV thev enel-I- gi'zati'onfof the storage. relaysiu'rithin.the: selector 1 and!.so that such..re'lays2willbe ready to.x receime` asucceeding impulse from the transmitter.; As: thebruslr traverse-s. thesegment 6.5;. the circuits area. closed through. 'the electra-magnet.or: other. unitsoperating. the plungers. 32;. Suche closing.l being;in;- accordance: Withc'the pattern: deteri. minedf by the: impulseemanating'from. .the trans+ mitter H Consequently; :those: switches-zVwhichl arepassing; the. settings' station: at'. that; pari'-ticulanfimoment .Willi he' operated; Inez plungersi orifequivalentswi'tchi closing;y unitsv willrcoritimie'. in: operative: positionwhilethe brush; is: t'raveizs'e` inglallf of 'segmenti 615;, ..1111thisimanner; there 8i Y noi sparkingo'r arcingfwilli oc'cusiffai-,'eithe Sori these stations. 1

Y As'haslbeen seeniri'the pre'cdingldescrption, n

thev flenticular..- actuatorA orf controller." Whichfzlia's? been*illustiatedl: carries". twentwtwni 'senese ci?. sitlitch:v elements...Inx View: of 'theiact-t t two',-v groups. of..` thesefswitch'es, asytheytrav ej! rei-setting andi settingl 'head1 stations; aref- "de:-energizedi; 4re.,V havefno-iV currentt hwingzthrough-- L meriti-iti is;apparent Vthat only .ttm-array:fsWitci-ilLl seriesimay beloperativeiiatf any: given `instaxlti Allowingrforfatsignrneldmhichiwillhave aiheightJ such.' that seven. nozvvsi off energizabl'e'; elements: Yrnayrv bei' included; Welalve-heretoforevseet that? f'velenathwis'e:rowsiY fl."

elements'= shcindl" be2-aie lotted to:` the: fomnation; of aisingleindiciasymlf bol. Thus, the thirty-five energizableelenents arein: such instance toi-fbeficonsi-deredlas bei-ngi monopolize'd." toprovide-the indicia; syrnhnll.,V .ItQi's4 for'l this/reason; that; inlthe-.=emb'odiment: illustrated.; thirtyeiiv'ei switchi elementsfai'enrw-"- vided association-^witheachi baricrsuppnrtr |:8';z Hl'lowing.; anextra' ver-tical'zrowf chi-energize A ablef. elements assaispacin'gfzone, Yi'tzWill lie.` seem that, under.the/circumstances;forty=two oithese2 elements arev monopoli'zed as: a:gritunfinfconneni tion; with: cne indicia"v symbols lThus,; aas'ign,l toaccommodate: simultaneously twentyA of.U theses sy-inlco'lswould;includeffsevenroW'sfof elemenf each one hundred andi twentyfelem'ents"longs It. willi be; apparent thatcertairrsignsimayfembrace 'a el'd;theflength o'fgwhio'hirwill -callaior ap'far greater'numben'ofenergizable.- e'lementsi andih'dicia spaces-w Obviously; bysmplwenlargef 35 ingith'e controller and fassociating'f' la flargen'berof switch'. series; Witli,l the;n Sarneg.' su'cl 'eni-f largedf sign`might bei properly: 'opeifatedrg H0 1-'5 ever; in certain' instan'cesitimightint bed sirabl to thus=enlarge-the 'control-len'oi irri' facti-Will bei annaleV time' toradequately assunexthe; 40it.mightbempractcblemd 5o.... t.

chisingA offthe switches',- VThereupon; thezfbrush: willi traversesegmenti BB1-'Which' serve'sfto releases the circuitec'losing. elementsoff' the' relays... Y

repeated.; synchronizing Yon contrnlling;4 nicchie ari-isms vof this;Vgeneral: type are, .oft course;v wielli known. to .those skilled inithe: art., However; 'it

is-'to bezobserved that; contraryv toaoceptedpnaetice,A .tlierr4distributing mechanism hereinemployed.L actually control'sfthemovement/of tlierecord-.i oi'tape lcy'r sending through' anY impulse'.itnlthefk transmitter; suchv that the latter `adi?aji'ic'esY the'tape'one step.V In- .thisfmannen perfect chron-izationandtiniin'gisjassured. y.

'I hereforeja structure-'is furnishectin whichV the switche'leme'ntsQof'anygivengrounareclosed' accordingt to. La; i selected'pattern... ,'Diie.. to con:Y tinued'finovementof the supports ,l8,"..thesecsw'itfchelements Willserve; to `close.;circuits.;throughcon`v tact.,within .therareann Due to thegirelative'. In@Venne/nts`.between the.; Contact.: and.; termina-lx the illusion of the-men/ingAcharactersr will 'azppeanI ufpor-n.thesllgllafield As'fthesevindiciah.chantanters?A reach the end of this eld, their.cotesnonrzling"terminals; will. reaclr a position iadjacentc statien 54c1'-L.'.. l "1Thus, it Willbe appreciatedlthat bothdtlirougil: the' circuiti openingWellnes? circuiti closingsta'-J ti'ons`- current: flow f is'interi'upte'd. 'Conseo luentlyf,l

60 elementopening stationindcated One: method: of; overcomingf. vanydiiicultiefgfy in? this 'connection has;,in" accoi'danceWithtnerpr'es'ent*4 inventiomz beern illustrated irr Figil nzwhichi thefsign panelindicated at lr'hinrFigz. has been.: showniinfgreaterfdetail.Thusgthisfsgnrixicludes a". bod-tr:v l2; supporting,energzableclelements 113:*2-

lesenswert-.this vietnamiens-isi tneeneifgize able elements; 'I @einiprecedinggroupr'! 9v aire causent toffunctionrby meansfoff currentfiowlng through@ the contacts -iofcontrollenl li andbyvirtue ot'helfleads one offwhicli has be'e'n-indicated-.at-"R: group:v `of terminalsyimmediately preceding thfe Fig are? connectent-ogni@ ting neas 'officereifer 1t? freinA the setting head1' station' 'Suf-1 of the; nnen@- Itfollows that.. ,energizablei ,elements Y e within "eldonzonej and insucceetlin v noti'contintingigtotcansa;mumntm s wwwCee'din'efenereizableelements;mhtneseetnctptsei 9 tion of the sign eld.This system of coupling controllers might, of course, be continuedthroughout any desirable number thereof and thus a sign of any usablelength might be properly energized and operated.

As will be seen in the schematic illustration of Fig. 6, the couplingbetween the controllers is effected by means of relays 82 of any desiredand proper type. VIn actual practice, it has been ascertained that amore involved form of coupling is, under ordinary circumstances,desirable. Thus, the preferred manner of connecting and actuating theseveral units of the layout has been somewhat schematically illustratedin Fig. 9. In that View, earlier reference numerals indicate partsheretofore identified.

The distributor indicated by the reference numeral 83 is preferablycoupled to and driven by the -controller 15. This controller andcontroller 11 are preferably coupled to move in synchronisrn by, forexample, having a .common -drive (not shown). The distributor 83 foreach series of switch elements associated with controller 16 operatesthroughout a complete cycle. In such cycle, it closes circuits throughcontacts 84 and 85 and a ground. Contact 85 is connected toa relay 86which controls the operation of switches 81. These are interposed .inthe leads 88' connected to the leads 8| (or otherwise identified as 52).Y

As previously brought out, .thirty-live energizable elements 13 provideIfor one indicia unit. Therefore, the switches 81 controlled by relay 89are thirty-five in number. The contacts 49 to which they are coupled arethe group immediately preceding station 55. The distributor 83 is sotimed that, when the indicia element appearing in the last position orzone 19 of the sign is properly centered with respect to the finallefthand group of energizable elements, the circuit through contact 85will be closed. Thus for an instant, current will flow through switches81 and until contact 85 is no longer energized. The source of energizingcurrent vfor relay 86 has been indicated at 88.

The leads 88' and 89 extending beyond switches 81 are connected torelays 90. 'Iliese relays willin the embodiment under consideration-bethirty-live in number. Switches 9| are controlled one by each of relays90. These switches are connected individually to the elements of thesetting head of controller 16. It follows that with current flowingthrough certain of the leads 88 and 89 when the switches 81 are closed,relays 90 will be energized to close switches 9|.. This willv result in`currents flowing tothe units of the setting head. Such flow wouldnormally, however, be only momentary and of insuiiicient duration tocause a proper operation of the units of the setting head. f

With this in mind, a, hold-in structurels preferably incorporated in therelay assemblies. The holding structure may conveniently be electricaland include switch units 92, one for each of the relays 90 and whichwill close as the latter are energized. These switches close the relaycircuits through a return lead 93. Accordingly, it is immaterial thatswitches 81 will open almost instantly becauserelays 99 having once beenenergized-switches 92 are closed. This will result in a continuing flowof current through their windings and therefore a locking-in of bothswitches 9| and 92.

Thus, `current flows through switches 9| for an ample period of time tocause operation of the elements of the setting vhead of the secondcontroller.

To interrupt such operation after a sufficient period of time haselapsed, a switch 94 is employed. This switch is interposed in lead 93.It forms a part of relay 95 which may be connected to the source ofcurrent supply indicated at 88. Relay S5 is connected to contact 811 ofthe distributor 83. As the latter lcloses the circuit through thiscontact, current will flow through the coil of relay 95. This willresult in an opening of the switch 94. Consequently, further flow ofcurrent through relays is prevented. Therefore, both switches 9| and 92open and thisapparatus will now be ready to again operate throughanother cycle.

Now considering the operation of the control system and mechanism, itwil be understoodthat an operator will provide a tape by means of theperforator l0 or otherwise may-through asuitable mechanism-directlyoperate they selector I3. If a tape is furnished, the latter isassociated with the transmitter Il. Current is now applied to thesystemand the motor 23 will begin to function to turn the shaft 20. The tape,selector and setting head units will functionin precisely aVpredetermined and desired manner due to the fact thatJ the controlmechanism generallyindicated at Fig. 8 is synchronized with theoperation of the shaft-20. Therefore, each time a row or series ofswitches providing one indicia area or group moves inoperativerelationship withrespect to the setting head, the latter will have beenpotentialized and caused to function to project precisely thepermutation of plungers or equivalent units to effect a proper closingof the corresponding switches of a, given series.

It is to be borne in mind that this operation occurs preferably with nocurrent flowing through the switch elements and regardless of wh'etherthey are closed or not; this being due to the provision of the zone 54or equivalent station as illustrated in Fig.Y '1. Due to continuedrotation of the shaft 29, the switch elements which have now been closedaccording to t-he desired predetermined pattern aremoved bodily as agroup together with th'e corresponding terminals connected thereto. j Y

It will be observed that, in effect, the controller simply provides tworelatively movable members with cooperating and correspondingly movingcontacts or terminals. One set of the latter is connected to theenergizable elements of the sign while the other series of the same areconnected to any convenient and proper type of switch element. For thisreason the rst set are preferably stationary, in th'at such aconstruction will avoid unnecessary complications. The second set,together with the switch elements, are preferaby the moving assembly. l

Thus, as the terminals move into the zone 53 of the contacts,energizable elements I6 will begin to function. These elements will belocated at the right hand side of the sign paneles viewed in Fig. l. Theindicia element' will have the illusion of moving to the left over thebody of the sign.V Therefore, on the continued movement of the shaft 20,the successive portions of the indicia unit will appear on the righthand edge of the sign as defined by the rst vertical row of energizableelements. These indicia units will continue to travel to th'e leftacross the sign and to provide a successive series furnishing individualwords, sentences, etc.-V This display 0f the indicia, Vwill continue.throughout .one .rotation of the shaft 2U to a point at which theparticular .groupof terminals tullyentersstaton-S as `il lustrated inVFig. .7. When thus -disposed, the

.resetting mechanismshifts .all switch' elements to .open,positions..Obviously, as. the. terminals enter zone or station 5.5,.theenergizableelements 1positioned adjacent the Vright hand edge ofthe signare. .being operated. These` elements are Vthe ones. connected to thecontacts immediately in advance of that station, Y Y 1 i .Thus, .theindiciaunits are, successively extinguished or disappear. as th'ey.reach pointsadjacent the .left hand -end of vthe sign.` This, of

course, neednot necessarily betrue-.if a layout of apparatus suchas thatgenerally illustratedin f-Egs V.6 and 9 is resorted. to. afore broughtout, itis ,apparent .that the ,length of thesignV may, be `continuedalmost, ,indefinitely by simply providing .successive .controllers andoperatively uplng `theseoneto theother,

..Erom th'e.foregoingit,wil1.be..appreciated that, .among .others thezseveral ,obj ects .of `the inven- .tion as specificallyaforenoted, are,achieved.V -Obviously,.numerous changes in construction-andrearrangements ofthe parts .might be resorted .tn ,wthout .departingfrom the, spirit. of .theinvention as den'edbytheclaims.

We;claim:. m.

1, In combination, Va controller lincluding lcon,- tacts terminals,`switches .connected thereto, said .terminals beingfdisposed adjacentsaidcontacts, meansafor .causing relative .movement .between said terminalsand contacts, ancl.means` for caus- .ing .a V.selective closing ,of saidswitches whereby -energzable elements forming a .part of .a .sign andvcoupled to said contacts .will rloe Vselectively .andsuccessively.energized to create th'e effect otindciatraversing said sign,atransmitter con: `nected to said controller andito vreceive. a record.eiectiveto operatesaid,transmitterin a manner suchas .to cause. Aafunctioning Vof said switchclQSing. .means vrinaccordance with ,apattern yas determined by said record, and means vconnected to.saidcontroller and operating. subsequent tothe i functioning of r,saidswitch-.closing means, .to

cause. an operation ofthe .transmitter to advance f the recordassociated therewith.

2.A v.control .includingin 'combination,4 a plu# ralityof seriesgofswitches,tobeconnected to=e1e mentsfto .beenergized a-setting headAcomprising .unitscooperative with said switchesior operatl ing.,theylatter,.means for-,eiecting' relative movement between said switches andsaidA headwa transmitter, amecham'sm .connectedto saidtrans-A m'ttersand to vbe energized thereby, means `for connecting said .setting.headt0 .said mechanism wherebythe units of the former will respond tooperation of the latter', and a synchronizing mechanism connected tohave movement responsive to the movement offthesetting head, relativetosaidswitches, said synchronizer functioning to {petentialize said:mechanism to `cause an operation of `one ot said series ,ofswitchegfand Y means functioning-after a predeterminedginterval Yytoconnect such series ofswitches. with .thesetting head oanadjacentcontroller.tocausea similar functioning of the units ofthelatter. l y

,4. A sign control system includingin combinationacontroller,switchescarried ther.eby,a setting .head forming a .partand operating,fthe switches of rsaid controller, a selector for, saidsetting head, atransmitter to .receive .a movable record, said transmitter beingconnected tosaid selector toY operate .the latter in accordance. withthe pattern of said. record, and a .svnchrcnizer connected to operatewith said controller and ygoverning the movements.. of Vsaid recordYwith re,-

spect to said transmmitter.

v.5. A signcontrol.systemincluding,combinaL .tion .arcontrollen switchescarried thereby, a set-l ting head forming a. part and operating 'theswitches of saidcontroller, a selectorY for said ,setlting head, atransmitter to .receive a movable record,- said transmitter beingconnected Y.to said Y `-and operating',`the switches of saidcontroller'a selector for governing the operation of saidsetting head,a, synchronizer-connected to vopt-frate with said controller and'governingsthe functioning'fof said selector, said controller-beingconnected lto causelan operation of an initial group vofi energiz-Y ableelements of the sign paneLand -a second controller and--settingheadlconnected to ygovern other energizable elementsV of the sign; the`setting head yof said second controller bein-g connectedto'fbeV operatedby parts of said first named controller.

7. In a control system for connection *totheY energizable elementsro'ffa signpanel, said-system, including a plurality of controllers,eachfcontroller'i'ncluding groups ofwcooperable, relativelymovfV ablecontacts,` svvitchesconnected toone.ofsaid Y Ygroups-oi contacts the`othergroups.ofcontacts of each "controllerfbeing connected tosucceedingV .groups of energizable...elements `of the sign,velectrically operated means for selectively closingLertain oftheswitchesof onecontrollerto establish through the contacts thereof. a flow ofcurrent through one group of energizable'elements. of Ithe sign panel,means for subsequentlyzopening all switches thus closed, and' meansforming-.part of said system for automatically setting theswitchvoperation ot said head-units, said `mechanism tl-iereuponclosingcircuits to.- ca-usesaid units -.to operate, and .said mechanismsubsequently closing circuits,torelease'saidunits.l Y Y, f, y y

:ffBlSIn-combinatiom a plurality lof ycontrollers,

. eachcomprising asetting; head, switch-,operating units. forming apartof saidhead, a pluralityof Seriesof `switches to be connected toenergizable f elements, means for causing relative movement fpetweensaid switches and setting head, .amechaf nism controllingtheoperationof .theun-itsgof. one Y i 1 of` said .-heads, whereby to ,causea Vprecletermi'ned closingl means .of a second controller to.;correspondto the switch-closingzoffthe onexontroller and prior to theoperation of thesWitch-Opening means of'zthat-'one controller. Y 1

.8. A controlsystem includingin.combinationra n transmitter withwhichtherenis to `loe associatedV andthroughlwhich therefis tobefedaitapehaving predetermined permutations` of perforations, iaselector mechanism connected to ysaid transmitter Y to beoperatedtherebma controller including rela-` tively Amovable parts,cooperable groupsV fof VVconv` tacts associated with such v'parts,V Voneof said groups being connectable to energizablefelements,

Y means for energizing the second groupvof contacts in accordancewiththe operation*ofsaid'selector,r a synchronizing means lconnectedtobeoperatedmesponsive .to `the, relative movements .oi the parts:

of said controller, and means connecting said synchronizing means togovern the feeding of thev tape through the transmitter and also theoperation of said selector.

9. A'control system including in combination a transmitter with whichthere is 'to be associated and through which there is to be fed a tapehaving predetermined permutations of perforations, a selector mechanismconnected to said transmitter to be operated thereby, a controllerincluding relatively movable parts, cooperable groups of contactsassociated with such parts, one of said groups being connectable toenergizable elements, means for energizing the second group of contactsin accordance with the operation of said selector, synchronizing meansconnected to be operated responsive to the relative movements of theparts of said controller, means connecting said synchronizing means togovern the feeding of the tape through the transmitter, the operation ofsaid selector, and also the means energizing the second group ofcontacts.

10. A control system including in combination a transmitter with whichthere is to be associated and through which there is to be fed a tapehaving predetermined permutations of perforations, a selector mechanismconnected to said transmitter to be operated thereby, a controllerincluding relatively movable parts, cooperable groups of contactsassociated with such parts, one of said groups being connectable toenergizable elements, a setting head forming a part of said controllerand comprising a plurality of elements actuated responsive to theoperation of said selector for selectively energizing contacts of thesecond group, synchronizing means connected to be operated responsive tothe relative movements of the parts of said controller,`and meansconnecting said synchronizing means to govern the feeding of the tapethrough the transmitter and also the intervals of time during which theelements of said setting head are operated. V

l1. A control system including in combination a transmitter with whichthere is to vbe associated and through which there is to be fed a tapehaving predetermined permutations of perforations, a selector mechanismconnected to said transmitter to be operated thereby, a controllerincluding relatively movable parts, cooperable groups of contactsassociated with such parts, one of said groups being connectable toenergizable elements, means for energizing the second group of contactsin accordance with the opera-- tion of said selector, synchronizingmeans connected to operate in timed relation with the relative movementsof the parts of said controller, said synchronizing means including aseries of contacts and a contact member movable with respect thereto,one of said contact series being electrically connected to thetransmitter to govern the feeding of the tape therethrough, and anotherof said contacts being electrically connected to said selector to governthe operation of the latter.

12. In combination a pair of synchronized controllers, each includingrelatively movable parts, contacts mounted by one of said parte, leadsextending from said contacts, the leads from the contacts of the twocontrollers being connectable to succeeding groups of energizableelements, switches mounted by the other of said controller parts andconnected to energize and (ie-energize said contacts, means foroperating said switches, a selector for governing the func- 14 tioningof the switch-operating means of one controller of said pair, and relaymeans connected to said 'one controller and the switch-operating meansof the second controller to cause the switches of the .latter ytofunction in amanner corresponding to the functioning of the switches ofsaid one controller.

13. In combination a pair of synchronized controllers, each includingrelatively movable parts, contacts mounted by one of said parts, leadseX- tending from said contacts, the leads from the contacts of the twocontrollers being connectable to succeeding groups of energizableelements, switches mounted by theother of said controller parts andconnected to energize and de-energize said contacts, means for operatingsaid switches, a selector for governing the functioning of theswitch-operating means of one controller of said pair, relay meansconnected to said one controller and the switch-operating means of thesecond controller to cause the switches of the latter to function in amanner corresponding to the functioning of the switches of said onecontroller, and a distributor operated in synchronism with saidcontrollers and governing the operation of said relay means.

y 14. In combination a pair of synchronized controllers, each includingrelatively movable parts, contacts mounted by one of said parts, leadsextending from said contacts, the leads from the contacts of the twocontrollers being connectable to succeeding groups of energizableelements, switches mounted by the other of said controller parts andconnected to energize and de-energize said contacts, means for operatingsaid switches, a selector for governing the functioning of theswitch-operating means of one controller of said pair, relay meansconnected to said one controller and the switch-operating means of thesecond controller and whereby electrical impulses are transmitted tosaid latter switch-operating means to potentialize them to function in amanner corresponding to the functioning of the switches of said onecontroller, time-delay means operating in response to said impulses toassure the maintenance of circuits for sufficient intervals of time suchthat the switch-operating means of the second controller will functionin accordance with the impulses, and distributor means connected to saidcontrollers and governing the operation of said timedelay means.

15. A sign control system including in combination a controller,switches carried thereby, a setting head movable with respect to saidswitches, means forming a part of said head for operating said switchesas the latter are moved with respect thereto, a selector causing afunctioning of the switch-operating means of said setting head, asynchronizer governing the functioning of said selector, and meansconnecting said synchronizer with said controller whereby the formerwill operate as the switches of the controller move with respect to thesetting head thereof.

16. A sign control system including in combination a controller,switches carried thereby, a setting head movable with respect to saidswitches, means forming a part of said head for operating said switchesas the latter are moved with respect thereto, a selector causing afunctioning of the switch-operating means of said setting head, atransmitter governing the functioning of said selector, a synchronizergovern- Number Gem- 1939 :Pruynfet a Fehrv 1944 'Relly' Beel 1914Kingsbury Nov; f6, v1,1911??

